The present invention relates to a lighting device including a LED of the type specified in the preamble of Claim 1 of the kind described for example in patent applications
There are currently known LEDs (acronym for light emitting diode) recently used to light various spaces, such as: domestic spaces, offices, open spaces such as squares and gardens and the like.
LED lighting devices have various advantages with respect to more conventional lighting devices, such as incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps.
In particular, LEDs have a very small volume, even less than one cm3, very high efficiency, produce a light that can obtain a desired colour, switch on very quickly when energized by electrical current and so forth.
As well as said advantages, LED lighting devices also have some considerable drawbacks.
In fact, LEDs produce a diffused lighting which is not suitable for particular atmospheres or for indoor spaces.
It is possible to vary said lighting by means of lenses outside the LED, but these require the production of a complex structure, which is aesthetically unappealing and above all reduces heat dissipation of these LEDS and therefore the lifespan thereof.
In this situation the technical aim of the present invention is to devise a lighting device including a LED capable of substantially overcoming the aforesaid drawbacks.
Within said technical aim an important object of the invention is to achieve a lighting device including a LED which produces diffused lighting.
The technical aim and the objects specified are achieved by a lighting device including a LED as described in the appended Claim 1.
Preferred embodiments are highlighted in the dependent claims.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings. In particular:
With reference to the Figures, the lighting device according to the invention is indicated as a whole with the number 1.
It comprises at least one LED 2, a support structure 3 for the LED 2 and a lens 4, placed over the LED 2, supported by the support structure 3 and suitable to modify the lighting of the LED 2 in particular to create diffused lighting.
In detail, the lens 4 is conveniently made of crystal or alternatively glass, or generally vitreous material, polymer or silicone.
It conveniently has a substantially spherical cap shape having the lower part with a substantially flat surface.
In particular, the lens 4 has a base diameter preferably of between 1 cm and 10 cm and more preferably between 1 cm and 5 cm, a height of between 0.4 cm and 6 cm and more preferably between 1 cm and 3 cm and a diameter to height ratio preferably between 2 and 4 and more preferably between 2.5 and 3.5.
In detail, two sizes of lens 4 are provided, one with a diameter of between 18 mm and 22 mm and a height between 6 mm and 9 mm and the other with a diameter of between 30 mm and 36 mm and a height between 9 mm and 12 mm. In both cases, a grinding of between 1 mm and 3 mm is also provided on the flat base to avoid the creation of sharp corners.
The LED 2 is realized by a printed circuit 2a and a bulb, or primary lens 2b. The printed circuit 2a is conveniently substantially rectangular and flat and has base dimensions of between 1 mm and 5 mm.
The bulb 2b, or primary lens, is made of polymer or silicone material, or glass and preferably has an external diameter of between 0.3 mm and 3 mm and more preferably between 1.5 mm and 2 mm. Moreover, it has a substantially semi-spherical shape.
The LED 2 has a power of between 1 W and 50 W and more preferably between 1 W and 20 W and even more preferably around 20 W.
The support structure 3 is conveniently a rod extending prevalently along a single direction and comprising a curved portion, as specified below.
In particular, the support structure 3 comprises an elongated body 6, preferably a rod, tubular and hollow and therefore comprising a cavity 6a.
It is made of metal, preferably nickel plated copper, preferably with a substantially circular normal section, and with a diameter preferably of between 1 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between 2 mm and 6 mm.
The elongated body 6 comprises support means 7 of the LED 2. They include a support surface 7a, part of the elongated body 6 and preferably defined by a flattened portion of this elongated body 6, and a plate 8 fixed to the support surface 7a and suitable to support the LED 2 directly.
The plate 8 is conveniently rectangular and made of aluminium alloy; moreover, it has a thickness close to the diameter of the elongated body 6, a length of between 2 and 3 cm and a height between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.
The elongated body 6 allows optimum dispersion of the heat coming from the LED 2 and houses therein electrical connections 9 for the LED 2.
The support structure 3 also preferably comprises a support element 5, suitable to support the lens 4.
The support element 5 is part of the support structure 3 and is suitable to support the lens 4 so that this is placed in proximity of the LED 2 but not in direct contact therewith, as shown in
In this regard, the support element 5 is conveniently realized by an extension of the end portion of the elongated body 6, conveniently bent in a U, as shown in
In particular, the support element 5 allows support of the lens 4, preferably placed in a direction parallel to the direction of the plane on which the circuit 2a of the LED 2 lies, and at a distance therefrom.
In detail, the distance between the LED 2 and the lens 4 is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, and more preferably between 1 mm and 4 mm, therefrom. Moreover, the lens 4 is preferably disposed so that the centre of the circumference is aligned vertically to the LED 2, as shown in
The lens 4 is then connected using a specific glue to the support element 5, for a length of less than on centimetre.
The elongated body 6 is also preferably flattened at the support element 5, so as to form an ellipsoidal section with a ratio between dimensions of around one half and with the major axis parallel to the plate 8.
Moreover, the support element 5 is preferably provided separable from the elongated body 6.
For this purpose, releasable mechanical connection means 10 are provided between the element 5 and the elongated body 6.
In particular, the elongated body 6 comprises a preferably circular hollow terminal end 6b.
Between the terminal end 6b and the support surface 7a, the tubular body 6 has a length preferably greater than 5 mm, as shown in
This end section of the tubular body 6 realizes part of the connection means 10, which are completed by a circular pin 11, integral with the support element 5 and counter-shaped to the cavity 6a, therefore circular and having a diameter preferably of between 1 mm and 3 mm.
Engagement between the element 5 and the tubular body 6 is therefore preferably forced coupling.
Alternatively, connection means 10 can be provided, equipped with directional elements which prevent rotation of the support element 5 inside the cavity 6a in the direction parallel thereto.
The lighting device 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages. In fact, by means of the presence of the lens 4, the device 1 produces a particular bubble or bulb lighting, optimal for lighting both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Moreover, the arrangement of the lens 4, not in direct contact with the LED 2, allows high dissipation of the heat that is created in the LED 2.
Furthermore, the lens 2 is releasable from the LED 2 and thus allows the latter to be used in different modes and situations. The support element 5 can in fact be removed and replaced immediately and with another support element provided with a different lens 4.
Finally, the structure is simple and solid, as well as easy to produce.
In particular, fixing of the lens 4 on the support element 5, by means of a simple glue, is immediate and can be performed with precision, without the need for further elements.
The invention is susceptible to modifications and variants falling within the inventive concert, as defined in the claims.
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.